Mumbai Comic Con: In conversation with Joe Harris, writer of Batman, X-Men and MarvelDec 22(AZINS) All of the city’s ardent comic and anime fans thronged to the Goregaon Exhibition Centre over the weekend, to attend the Mumbai Comic Con. Amidst real-life cosplays and hundreds of Jedi, iamin reporter caught up with American Comic book writer Joe Harris, who has written issues of Batman, X-Men, and Marvel for different publishers, as well as his own graphic novel “Wars in Toyland.” Currently, Harris is working on writing the 11th season of The X Files.

You’ve written for both the big names, Marvel and DC, but if you had to pick a favourite, which one would it be?
Well, I’d say I like Marvel comics better. I grew up as a fan of both though. Back then, in the 80s and early 90s, America’s ‘comic shop culture’ had brought all comic lovers together. Marvel was a little more appealing to me than the DC characters…they were human, whereas everyone in DC are like demi-gods. Spiderman and the X-Men were my favourite…I guess the idea of them (Peter Parker and the mutants) being outcasts and not being accepted for who they were, appealed to me.

What was the younger Joe like?
I was an introvert for the longest time during my childhood. Maybe that’s why I can relate to the superhero’s loneliness and feelings of unacceptance. I was a very sensitive kid, and struggled with not being popular.

Would you say that has a role to play in your writing?
Sure, coping with not being popular somewhat formed my empathy as a young writer, who slowly was beginning to understand what goes into creating truly great comic characters. That is why I say Marvel is very rich when compared with DC…Marvel characters had their flaws, but in spite of these humane flaws, they managed to go beyond their powers.

Favourite comic book writer(s) of all time?
Alan Moore and Frank Miller, without a doubt.